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Ford Hall Community Information

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

Updates will be added on at least a monthly basis. The projected completion date of Ford Hall is fall 2009.

NEW August 25, 2009

Current: Originally scheduled for today, August 25, the Northampton Fire Department has rescheduled the final testing of the fire protection system in Ford Hall to Friday, August 28, from noon to 5 p.m. As mentioned previously, some of the tests will set off the emergency horns, including those on the exterior of the building.

August 26: The Northampton Fire Department will test the Ford Hall Atrium smoke exhaust system between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. There is a possibility that the fire alarm will be set off.

August 24, 2009

August 25: Beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Northampton Fire Department will conduct its final testing of the fire protection system in Ford Hall. Some of the tests will set off the emergency horns, including those on the exterior of the building. The testing is expected to conclude by 3 p.m.

August 13, 2009

August 18 (evening): The Northampton Fire Department will be testing the emergency lighting system in Ford Hall beginning at 9 p.m. Such testing is typically conducted at night to test illumination levels in darkness. The length of time it will take to test the system is unknown. Although not expected, it is possible that the fire alarms could be activated during the testing. 

July 1, 2009

Week of July 13: Paving of Belmont Avenue and Green Street (from the Sage Hall circle up to the Dickinson parking lot entrance) will occur during the week of July 13. This is a weather-dependent, two-day project. Work hours are 7 a.m.–4 p.m. When paving occurs, Belmont Avenue will be closed from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. On Green Street, there will be one lane traffic, with a police officer on site to manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 

June 2, 2009

June 4: The final paving of Arnold Avenue will occur. Paving is expected to begin at 12 noon and be completed by 6 p.m. 

June 10 and 11: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts for installation of materials for the exterior of Ford Hall, which requires a small crane. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

May 8, 2009

May 12: A periodic closure of Belmont Avenue to vehicle traffic may be required between 7 a.m.–4 p.m. for a crane to hoist landscaping material to the Ford Hall Roof.  The closure would be from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street would be maintained, as would both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

May 13 and 14: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts for delivery of materials to Ford Hall. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

May 4, 2009

May 6 or 7: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts for delivery of trees and plantings to the Ford Hall green roof system, which requires the use of a small crane. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. This project is weather dependent.

April 27, 2009

Belmont Avenue Closing Date Change

April 29: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts for delivery of materials for the Ford Hall green roof system, which requires the use of a small crane. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. The April 29 Belmont Avenue closing date replaces the previously announced closing date of April 28.

April 23, 2009

April 24 and 28: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts for delivery of materials for the Ford Hall green roof system, which requires the use of a small crane. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

May 4–8:  Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., new curbs will be set on Green Street in front of Ford Hall and on Belmont Avenue, and a drainage line will be extended to the south side of Green Street. There will be one lane traffic on Green Street, with a police officer on site to manage vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

April 20, 2009

Revised Arnold Avenue Reconstruction Schedule

April 22–May 1: Access to Arnold Avenue driveways will be unavailable due to the installation of curbs, sidewalks, and the first layer of paving. Arnold Avenue and West Street residents affected by the loss of driveway access have temporary parking in the Smith College parking garage. Service and delivery vehicles will have access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot.

May 4–15: Light poles and landscaping will be installed on Arnold Avenue. Service and delivery vehicles will have access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot.

Note: Final paving of Arnold Avenue and the parking lot is expected to take place during the week of June 8.

April 10, 2009

April 14 and 15: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts for delivery of materials to Ford Hall. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue.

April 3, 2009

Revised Arnold Avenue Reconstruction Schedule

April 6–May 22: Road and sidewalk reconstruction will occur on Arnold Avenue and the 66 Green Street parking lot, located behind the Green Street Café. The days and hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. All Arnold Avenue and 41 and 43 West Street residents have been offered temporary parking in the Smith parking garage during this period of reconstruction. The Green Street Café, which will not have the use of 16 spaces in the parking lot for its employees and customers, is being provided with 16 parking spaces in the Dickinson parking lot. In cooperation with the City of Northampton, eight of the parking spaces are the metered spaces temporarily located in the Dickinson parking lot, and eight are provided by Smith.

The projected schedule of work is as follows:

April 6–April 17: Existing pavement, curbs and sidewalks on Arnold Avenue and the parking lot will be removed. New utilities will be installed at the west end of Arnold Avenue and in the parking lot, with no utility service interruptions anticipated. There will be trash collection access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot, and emergency service access as required.

April 20–May 8: Re-grading of Arnold Avenue and the parking lot will occur and the first layer of paving will be installed. In the parking lot, curbs will be set and light poles will be installed. There will be trash collection access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot, and emergency service access as required.

May 11–22: Curbs will be set and sidewalks, light poles and landscaping will be installed on Arnold Avenue. Service and delivery vehicles will have access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot.

Note: Final paving of Arnold Avenue and the parking lot is expected to take place during the week of June 8.

April 2, 2009

Current: The previously announced construction to make improvements to Arnold Avenue has been delayed due to a lawsuit filed by the Green Street Café. As soon as we have a revised project schedule, we will communicate the new date for construction to begin. Those residents offered temporary parking in the Smith parking garage will have that parking extended for the duration of the Arnold Avenue work. The temporary parking in the Dickinson parking lot for Green Street Café employees and customers will be extended accordingly. 

March 17, 2009

March 30–May 14: Road and sidewalk reconstruction will occur on Arnold Avenue and the 66 Green Street parking lot, located behind the Green Street Café. The days and hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. All Arnold Avenue and 41 and 43 West Street residents have been offered temporary parking in the Smith parking garage during this period of reconstruction. The Green Street Café, which will not have the use of 16 spaces in the parking lot for its employees and customers, is being provided with 16 parking spaces in the Dickinson parking lot. In cooperation with the City of Northampton, eight of the parking spaces are the metered spaces temporarily located in the Dickinson parking lot, and eight are provided by Smith.

The projected schedule of work is as follows:

March 30–April 10: Existing pavement, curbs and sidewalks on Arnold Avenue and the parking lot will be removed. New utilities will be installed at the west end of Arnold Avenue and in the parking lot, with no utility service interruptions anticipated.  There will be trash collection access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot, and emergency service access as required.

April 13–May 1: Re-grading of Arnold Avenue and the parking lot will occur and the first layer of paving will be installed. In the parking lot, curbs will be set and light poles will be installed. There will be trash collection access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot, and emergency service access as required.

May 4–14: Curbs will be set and sidewalks, light poles and landscaping will be installed on Arnold Avenue. Service and delivery vehicles will have access to Arnold Avenue and the parking lot.

Note: Final paving of Arnold Avenue and the parking lot currently is scheduled during the week of June 8.

March 4, 2009

UPDATE for Weeks of March 2 and 9: Due to the snowstorm on March 2, Belmont Avenue now will be closed March 5, 6, 10 and 12 from 7 a.m.–4 p.m. to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

February 27, 2009

Weeks of March 2 and 9: On March 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 from 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the service entrance to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts for delivery of materials to Ford Hall. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

January 27, 2009

January 30: From 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Belmont Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Green Street to the Mendenhall Hall Center for the Performing Arts service entrance for delivery of the remainder of the metal roofing for Ford Hall. Pedestrian access to Belmont Avenue from Green Street will be maintained, as will both vehicle and pedestrian access from Ahwaga Avenue. 

January 14, 2009

Week of January 19: Installation of the metal roof for Ford Hall is expected to begin and should be completed within 3–4 weeks.

Week of January 26: While the framing work to enclose the Ford Hall Atrium has already started, the installation of the glass is expected to begin the week of January 26. Full installation should take approximately three weeks.

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